Improvement in bridges



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH E. KAUSER, OF NEW YORK, N. YQ

IMPROVEMENT IN BRIDGES.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. KAUsER, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, at present residing in Hungary, Europe, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Bridges; and I do hereby declare that theyfollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which willenable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which- Figure lis a geometrical elevation of bridge,with section ofabutments. Fig. 2 is a section of two trusses, showingtheir connection. Fig. 3 is an elevation of an arch-piece, showing itsconnection with adjacent arch-pieces. Fig. 4 is an elevation and plan ofthe central part of the bridge, showing' the device at the center of thebridge for neutralizing the eect of the contraction and expansion of thematerials composing the bridge. Fig. 5 is a geometrical elevation ofbridge. Fig. 6 is a top view of the base of bridge, showing the circularconcavities for the reception of the lower ends of the arches.

My invention consists, first, in applying in the construction ofbridges, viaducts, &c., iron or cast-iron hollow cylinders or tubes, whether round or polygonal in form, in such a way that the strain shall bein the direction of their longitudinal axis without relying upon theirlateral or cohesive strength 5 and, second, in the device, hereinaftermore fully described, for neutralizing the effect of the contraction andexpansion of the materials.

My improved bridge is constructed in the form of an arch, all materialwhich merely augments its weight without increasing strength beingcarefully eliminated.

The bridge consists of a system of parallel arches, F, securely trussedtogether by horizontal and oblique braces j'. The exterior and interiorlines of each archi. e., the extrados and intrados-consist of one, oftwo, or of a greater number of series of hollow cylinders, a, the numberot' lines or series depending upon the length of the span and theexigencies of each particular case. In the accompanying drawings, theexterior (G) and interior (G) lines are represented as each consistingof three seriesof tubes, a. The length of each of the tubes a shouldnot exceed twelve times its own diameter. P are iron plates extendingfrom the outermost exterior line or series of tubes to the innermostinterior line or series of tubes, to which are attached the adjacentends of the tubes, or by means of sore w-bolts s, in the mannerrepresented in Figs. 2 and 3. The plates P are braced together in thespace between the exterior lines or series oftubes, G, and the interiorline or series of tubes, G, as represented. From this construction it isevident that the stress produced, as well by inherent as extraneousweight, will act in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubesa., and con'- sequently in the direction of their greatest power ot'resist-ance; but in order to make this construction available andpractical there must be combined with it some device for neutralizingthe expansion and contraction of the materials of which the bridge isconstructed, and thus protect the interior parts, as well as theabutments, from the effects of such contraction and expansion. Toaccomplish this the bridge is constructed in two perfectly distinct andseparate parts or semi-arches. The semiarches forming each halt' of thebridge terminate at their highest point alternately in concave andconvex ends, so as to it exactly into cach other in the manner of a pairof hinges, but without the connecting-bolt, two or more or all of thesearches at the point of meeting being provided with side pieces toprevent lateral displacement. The lower ends of the arches are alsorounded oft', and tit exactly into the concave cast-iron supports D,fastened to the abutments. There will thus be two fixed rotation-points,R, one at each end of the bridge, and one movable rotationpoint, O, atthe center. The effect of expansion willth us be to lift up the wholestructure, the central rotation-point, O, rising, and the semi-archestending to revolve about it and at the same time tending to revolvearound the xed rotation-points R. Then, as the materials contract, thearches sink back into their original position without having injured ordisplaced any part of the bridge.

I do not claim any system of connecting, bracing, and otherwisefastening the different parts ofthe trusses, either separate or among Yeach other, or any of them with the railing or parapet, the flooring, orany other part of the bridge; but

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl.Combining,intheconstruction of bridges, viaducts, &c., iron or cast-ironround or polygonal cylinders or tubes, the length of which shall notexceed twelve times their diameter, in the manner herein described-thatis to say, in such a Way that the pressure of the inherent or extraneousWeight shall act in the direction of the longitudinal axis of saidcylinders or tubes, substantially as herein described, and for thepurpose set forth.

2. Combining the semi-arcl1es which form the bridge with each other atthe center of the bridge and With the abutments at its ends in themanner described-that is to say, making` the central ends of theparallel semi-arches alternately convex and concave, so as to it intoeach other, and lower ends of said semiarches convex, so as to t intoconcave supports on the abutments, substantially as described, and forthe purpose stated.

J. E. KAUSER. [L. s.]

In presence ofv IsIDoR MTTYUSE, BOTZ KROLY.

